This week in banking news - home loans, ANZ cut savings accounts' interest rates and the chances of an October RBA cut
In this week’s banking recap, we look at ME ditching credit card plans, ANZ’s interest rate cuts on savings accounts, smaller lenders taking on the big banks with home loans and whether the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will cut rates in October.
Will the RBA cut rates in October?
With the RBA’s monthly meeting coming up next week, the big question on everyone’s minds is: will rates be cut once again? The market is fairly confident that the Reserve Bank will go ahead and cut, which would bring the official cash rate down to 0.75%, half of what it was at the beginning of 2019. Plus further cuts could mean even lower home loan interest rates. Stay tuned for more news updates on RBA cuts in the coming days!
Small lenders compete with the big banks for the home loan market
Talking of home loans, with the spring property season well and truly underway, a number of smaller lenders seem intent on taking on the big four, in a bid to take back some of the home loan market share. Online lender loans.com.au launched two new investor home loan products on Tuesday 24th September. Plus, ME Bank also made its voice heard by cutting variable principal and interest and interest-only investor home loan rates by 49 basis points. So if you’re searching for a home loan this spring property season, why not check out our home loans comparison page.
ME bank ditches credit card plans
While ME enjoyed growth in its home loan portfolio this year, on the other end of the scale, the online bank ditched credit card plans, amid the buy now, pay later frenzy. ME’s CEO Jamie McPhee announced plans for more credit card plans last September, but the plans were later abandoned, a fact which McPhee attributes to the growing number of buy now, pay later services, now available in Australia.
Afterpay released statistics earlier this year revealing that only 41% of Aussie millennials use credit cards, a low figure compared to the 58% of young credit card users in 2002. While buy now, pay later could be a large factor in ME’s decision not to introduce more credit card products, Mozo Banking Expert Peter Marshall wasn’t so sure. Marshall suggested that other factors, such as the introduction of new banking regulations may also have caused the online bank to drop its plans.
Of course if you think a credit card could be better for you, then why not head to Mozo’s credit card comparison page, to see what credit card would best suit your lifestyle.
Bad news for ANZ savings account customers
On the topic of interest rate cuts this week, interest rates for the ANZ Progress Saver and ANZ Online Saver also fell by 0.10%. While the ANZ Progress Saver’s base rate remains at 0.01% the bonus rate fell from 1.94% to 1.84%, making the new maximum rate 1.85% (if you meet the bonus rate requirements).
Plus if you’re a current ANZ Online Saver customer, then you might not be too pleased to hear that the base rate for this savings account has been cut from 0.15% to 0.10%. And if you’re a new customer thinking of signing up to the Online Saver account, then your new bonus rate will be 1.75%, with the new maximum rate standing at 1.85%.
If you don’t think you’re getting the best interest rate on your current savings account, then why not head to our savings accounts comparison page to see what else is out there. Or check out the deals below to see if you could be earning more interest on your savings.
Compare savings accounts - rates updated daily
Save Account
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.85% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Deposit at least $200 to either Spend or Save account from an external source each month.
Earn up to 1.85% p.a in interest. No monthly fee to pay. Split your money in up to 10 Save accounts. Track your progress on each of your save accounts. Instant access to cash via PayID and Osko. Deposits guaranteed up to $250k per customer.
Save Account
Earn up to 1.85% p.a in interest. No monthly fee to pay. Split your money in up to 10 Save accounts. Track your progress on each of your save accounts. Instant access to cash via PayID and Osko. Deposits guaranteed up to $250k per customer.
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Deposit at least $200 to either Spend or Save account from an external source each month.
- Access
- Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Bank and saving account only accessible through iOS or Android app.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Save Account
Future Saver Account - 14 to 35 years
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
3.00% p.a. (for $0 to $50,001)0.05% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Transfer a minimum of $1,000 into your linked Everyday Account and make 5 eligible transactions. Bonus interest criteria waived for account holders 14-17 years of age.
Enjoy bonus interest each month when you meet the criteria. No monthly fees. Open an account in minutes. Open up to 9 accounts. Transaction round-up for faster saving. Personalised insights and goal tracking. For customers aged 14-35 years.
Future Saver Account - 14 to 35 years
Enjoy bonus interest each month when you meet the criteria. No monthly fees. Open an account in minutes. Open up to 9 accounts. Transaction round-up for faster saving. Personalised insights and goal tracking. For customers aged 14-35 years.
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Ongoing bonus rate applied if in the previous month $1,000 or more is credited to the linked Everyday Account and 5 eligible transactions are made by the linked account. Bonus interest criteria waived for account holders 14-17 years of age.
- Access
- BPay, Branch access, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $1.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Future Saver Account - 14 to 35 years
Youth eSaver
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
No Current Offer3.25% p.a.(for $0 to $5,001)Yes up to $250,0003.25% p.a. interest rate on balances up to $5,000; 1.00% p.a. interest rate on balance over $5,000. $0 monthly account fees to pay. Add and withdraw your savings without affecting your interest rate. Comes with an Everyday Youth Account. Available to applicants aged 10 to 17 only.
Youth eSaver
3.25% p.a. interest rate on balances up to $5,000; 1.00% p.a. interest rate on balance over $5,000. $0 monthly account fees to pay. Add and withdraw your savings without affecting your interest rate. Comes with an Everyday Youth Account. Available to applicants aged 10 to 17 only.
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- n/a
- Access
- BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $1.00
- Other restrictions
- Child must be aged 10-17 and sole account owner. Max 1 Youth eSaver account per eligible child. Must link to a transaction account.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Youth eSaver
High Interest Savings Account
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
2.10% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)1.00% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)Yes up to $250,000Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
Kick start your savings with the 4 month introductory variable rate. No fees, no minimum balance, no minimum monthly deposit and no minimum term.
High Interest Savings Account
Kick start your savings with the 4 month introductory variable rate. No fees, no minimum balance, no minimum monthly deposit and no minimum term.
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening, reverting to standard variable rate. Rate shown is for Personal customers and is subject to change. Different rates apply to Business/SMSF customers.
- Access
- Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the High Interest Savings Account
Boost Saver with Go Account
Lock Saver Feature
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
2.00% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)0.05% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Bonus rate of 2.00%. Deposit $2,000 each month, make 5 eligible payments from your Go Account and enable the Lock Saver feature. If you are between 18 and 25 deposit $1,000. 32 days notice for withdrawal and T&C's apply.
Enjoy a high interest savings account bundled with an everyday spending account. No monthly fees. And new customers can get a welcome bonus of 5,000 bonus Virgin Money Points (ends 31/8/22. Offer criteria & T&Cs apply).
Boost Saver with Go Account
Enjoy a high interest savings account bundled with an everyday spending account. No monthly fees. And new customers can get a welcome bonus of 5,000 bonus Virgin Money Points (ends 31/8/22. Offer criteria & T&Cs apply).
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus interest 2.00% is made up of the Base rate of 0.05%, Bonus rate of 1.45% and Notice Interest Rate of 0.50%. It only applies when you deposit $2,000 into your Go Account and make 5 debit card purchases, direct debit or BPAY payments in the previous month and enable the Lock Saver feature. If you are between 18 and 25 you need to also deposit $1,000. 32 days notice for withdrawal and T&Cs apply.
- Access
- BPay, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Bank and savings account only accessible through iOS or Android app.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Boost Saver with Go Account
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